Filling-feeler mechanism for looms



Jan. 16, 1923,: 1,442,572

- S-.'S. JACKSON.

FILLIING FEELER MECHANISM FOR LooMs.

FILED Nov. 4. 1920, I r 2 SHEETS'SHEET 1 6% 65am. .QvWQm/K @C JM (In Worney.

Jan. 16, 1923. 11,442,572

8'. s; JACKSON.

. FILLING FEELER MEcEHANIsM FOR Looms.

FILED Nov. 4. 1920. 2 SHEETS'SHEET 2 I J52 venzor.- 1705672685; SMM S. OWVWM Patented Jan. 16, lgfiiiii "L w r l t k JACKSON, 61 BOSTGN, BEASSiGI-IUSETTS,

ASSEGNGR, BY I/IESNE ASSIGN- ..r1 TY GE READVILLE, BOSTON, IE'IASSACHUSETTS,

FILLING-FEELEE B'IECHANISMI FGIL LOOMS.

Anplication filed November To all whom it may concern lie it known that l, Suinon S. Jaonsox, subject of Great Britain, residir .t Hyde Park. Boston, in the county of Suffol State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in l illinn Feeler lllechanisms for Looms, of which the following a specifica reference being @1011, had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention has relation to the so-called filling-teeler mechanisms which are employed in looms for the purpose of detect ing when the supply of weft or filling contained in a loom-shuttle has become depleted to the predetermined extent, and thereupon bringing about action, usually automatic weft replenishment, to forestall delivery of the last end of the said supply from the shuttle into the cloth being woven, in order to avoid the introduction of a short pick of weftor filling into the cloth and consequent injury to the value of the latter.

A filling-feeler mechanism comprises, ordinarily, a weft or filling-ieeler, devices which under the governance of the fillingfeeler serve more immediately to bring about the action aforesaid, or call the change as it sometimes is expressed, and a so-called controller located intermediate the fillingfeeler and the said devices, itself governed by the filling-teeler, and in turn controlling such devices. In some cases a train of connecting devices takes the place of a controller.

The general object of the invention is to do away with the various types, forms, and constructions of controllers and other intermediate devices which heretofore have been used or proposed tor operatively co nbining and connecting together a feeler-device and a vertically-movable latch or dog forming a part of the devices for calling a change, and to provide in the place thereof much simpler means for the purpose of con trolling the said latch or dog and its engagement by the weft-hammer, or other actuator. for the purpose of actuating the said devices to call the change.

In accordance with the invention, 1 con nect and combine an arm or other part that moves laterally when the filling-feeler detects substantial depletion, with a verticallymovable latch or dog such as aforesaid, by means of a flexible connector extending trans- Serial No. 421,685.

versely from said arm (or other laterallyino-vable par to and aroun guide by which its direction is changed so that it e:-; thence in a vertical direction to the tch or (log. whereby it serves to determine the p()o.L-lOl'l u or down of the latch or dog and its engagement the weft hammer or other actuator.

in important application oi the inveni is in connection with filling-feeler inechanisns oi the class provided with sideslipping lieeler-devices, although the inventlon is not necessarily ted to employ- Side-slipment in that precise connection. ping feelendevices are in general characterized by having; a laterally-movable feelerin sober which by en cement or the shuttlecon 'ned supply of weft or filling therewith at the time of each successive teeling action is held from lateral movement, that is to say is held from movement longitudinally of the weft or filling-carrier occupvthe shuttle, until the remaining portidn 0t tl c said supply is too small to prevent such movement. it such stage in the depletion of the supply the feel er-member is displaced laterally in a feelingaction, and a result of such displacement the change is called. This class comprises two types of the devices, to either of which the present invention is applicable. These two types are, first. the type in which the tendency ot the feeler-member to move laterally results from forwardly-directed contact-pressure acting against a laterally offset "feeling end or tip; and second, the type in which the tendency of the ieeler-mc-mber to move latorally is due to the application of the yielding force of a ring; or other convenient means the time of the feeling action.

The drawings show an illustrative embodiment of the invention in a form of feelermechanism having a 'sidesli' iipiugfeelerdevice of the pe first mentioned. The application ot the features of the ir ion in connection with teeler-devices of the secoiub type referred to, and in connection with other kinds of feeler-devices, will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top view certain parts at one side of a loom, including the said illustrative embodiments of the invention, the parts being shown in their normal positions.

feeler-mechanism, and 4c a shuttle occupying the said shuttle-box. The usual openings 3, l, in the plate and the front-wall of the shuttle permit entrance of the contact-portion or tip 11 of the ieeler-device as the lay heats up, to provide for contact between the end. of the said contact-portion or tip 11 and the filling-mass 6 upon the filling-carrier 7 occupying the shuttle,

The teeler-device shown in the drawings is one of convenient construction, it comprising as heretofore in some cases a carriermember 8 that ismovable forwardly and rearwardly in the loom, and a teeler-memher 9 carried by said carrier-member.

The carrier-member 8 is, as more or less common, a slide working in a guideway at 12 upon a small stand 12 attached to the outer end of a main supporting stand 13 extending outward from the breast-beam. A cap or cover-plate 12 bridging the guideway and holding the slide down therein. is secured in place by screws 12, 12. The forwardly extending reduced extension 8 of the slide, working in a hole through an upstanding portion 12 of the forward part of stand 12, is as usual surrounded between the body of the slide and the upstanding port-ion 12 of stand 12b}; an expanding spiral spring 8" which operates to keep the carrier-member 8 normally in its rearward position, and to return it to that position after having been pushed forward in a. feeling' action by the pressure of the shuttlecontents against the end 11 of the feelermember.

The teeler-member 9 is, in this instance, mounted upon a pivotal stud 10 on the carrier-member 8, with capacity for transverse movement in a horizontal plane, and has a rearwardly projecting contact-portion or tip 11, the filling-engaging end 11 of which is offset laterally with relation to the pivot of the 'feeler-member. To this lateral o1?- setting is due the tendency of the feelermember. to swing around its pivot under the forwardly acting pressure of the shuttle contents against. its contact-portion in a. feeling action.

The means of holding the leeler-member normally in its presentation position shown in Fig. 1, with its forward]y-projecting arm 9 in contact with a stop 8 upon carrier 8, is in this instance a contracting spiral spring 11 having one end thereof engaged with an arm 9 of the feeler-Inemher at the side of pivot 10 opposite that at which filling engaging end 11 is located. and its opposite endengaged with a stud or pin 8 projecting from slide 8. When the feeler-member in a feeling action swings around pivot 1.0 as its contact-portion or tip 11 slips laterally along a practically empty filling-carrier 7 in a feeling action, the arm 9" is swung laterally away from the said stop 8.

The devices which serve more immediately to call the change, when lateral movement of the it'eeler-member occurs in a feeling action are in this instance the welllrnown combination comprising a latch or dog 18, an upstanding arm 19 with which the latch or dog is connected, and a controlling rocltshait 20 upon which said arm is fixed. I practice is connected oper'atively with the replenishing instrumentalities (not shown) of the loom, or it might be with loom-stopping mechanism, so that when the rockshait is rocked either replenishment or loom-stoppage, as the case may be, will be brought about. The latch or dog is connected" by means 01 a. pivot 18 with the arm 19, with capacity to swing up and down in a vertical plane, and extends rearward from the arm, it having a lateral projection or tooth 18 for cooperation with the actuator; herein as usual the weft-hammer or gooseneck 21, and the latter having a shoulder 21 to cooperate with said lateral projection or tooth. As usual, when the latch or dog occupies aposition in which its tooth is clear of the path in which shoulder 21 moves as the weit-hammer orgooseneclt 2 1 swings forward and rearward, the wefthammer moves forward without engaging with the latch or dog, but'whe n the latch or dog changes its position so as to carry its tooth into the path of the shoulder, the latter engages the tooth and the weft-hammer or gooseneck actuates the latch or dog, etc.. to call the change. 7 p

The flexible connector a, by means of which in accordance with the invention the teeler-meniber and latch or dog are operatively combined and connectedv together, is

.a wire or cord that in this instance is conneoted with the arm 9 of the feeler-memher, and extends therefrom transversely toward the latch ordog 18. The directionchanging guide I), around which the connector changes its direction'and continues vertically to the latch or dog, is in the case of the illustrated construction a pulley or sheave located adj ac'ent'thelatclior dog, and journalled upon a small bracket l) that is attached to the inner end of supporting stand 13 by means of a screw or bolt 6 A slot 5 in the bracket provides for adjust The said controlling rockshatt in ment of the guide forward or rearward into proper working relations with the associated parts.

The relations of the latch or dog with respect to the actuator therefor, and the man ner in which the connector is utilized to control the latch or dog, may vary in practice.

In the case of the illustrated construction the latch or dog is intended to occupy normally a relatively elevated position with its tooth l8 above and clear of the path of the shoulder 21 of the weft-hammer or gooseneck, and for the purpose of calling a change, is intended to descend to place the said tooth in the said path so that the engagement of the moving shoulder with the tooth shall cause the latch or dog, arm 19, and controlling roclcshaft 20 to be moved. Accordingly, the connector a is arranged so that it passes over guide 6 and a portion thereof depending from the guide is engaged with a pin 0 upon an extension 0 projecting down from the latch or dog. The connector is of such a length that when the feeler-member occupies its presentation position shown in Fig. 1, with its arm 9 in contact with stop S on the carrier 8, the latch or dog is supported in the relatively elevated position aforesaid. The tension of the spring 11 connected with the feelermember is sufficiently strong to keep the latch or dog elevated and cause such contact to occur, so long as the feeler-member is not forcibly displaced.

The distance from the arm 9 to the guide 5 is so great, and the amplitude of the forward and rearward movements of the feelerdevice that take place in the feeling actions is so short, that the portion of the connector that is engaged with arm 9 swings forward and rearward in unison with the feeler-device without occasioning any or noticeable movement of the latch or dog vertically.

In operation, when the feeler-member moves laterally in a feeling action because the supply of weft or filling within the shuttle is substantially depleted and fails to prevent suchmovement, the inward swinging movement of arm 9 of the feeler-member permits connector a to draw inward and around the guide 6 and allows the latch or dog 18 to lower so as to place its tooth in the path of the shoulder of the weft-hammer, and the engagement of said shoulder with said tooth thereupon takes place, with the result that a change is called.

Provision is made by means of screw (6, connecting the connector with the arm 9 of the feeler-member, for adjustment of the latch or dog vertically when necessary in order to cause it to be held at the proper height above the path of the shoulder 21 of the weft hammer or gooseneck, or to provide for proper engagement of the tooth 18 with the shoulder 21. The coi'iuc tof' is adjustable longitudinally by means of Lin; said screw and nuts upon its threaded stem at opposite sides of the swivel-piece (4, shown in Fig. 1, carried by arm 9 cf the feeler-member. Further provision for this adjustment is provided for by means of a slot 0 in the upper portion of extension 0 of latch or dog 18, and a clamping c occupying the said slot. The said eatension is a small bar that is fastened to the latch'or dog 18 at one side of the latter by means of the clamping screw 0' and the slot- 0 provides for adjustment of the said e);- tension or bar vertically with refeiv rice to the latch or dog. According as the pin c is located by means of one or the other of these provisions for adjustment 1" lower with reference to the latch or dog, the latch or dog will be supported by the vertically extending portion of the connector a in a higher or lower relation w a spect to the shoulder 21 of the weft-hanr mer.

l/Vhat is claimed as the invention is,-

1. In filling-feeder mechanism for looms, the combination with an arm or other part that moves laterally when the filling-feeder detects substantial depletion, and a vertically-movable latch or dog constituting an element of the devices for calling a change,

of a direction-changing guide adjacent the latch or dog, and a flexible connector extending transversely from said arm or part to and around said guide and thence vertically to the latch or dog, and by its tension determining the position up or down of the latter and its engagement by the weft-hamnier or other atuator.

2. In filling-feeler mechanism for looms, the combination with a feeleranember that reciproca-tes forwardly and rearwardly in the feeling action and moves laterally when the weft or filling is substantially depleted, and a vertically-movable latch or dog constituting an element of the devices for calling a change, of a direction-changing guide adjacent the latch or dog, and a flexible connector extending transversely from the feeler-member to and around said guide and thence vertically to the latch or dog, and by its tension determining the position vertically of the latch or dog and its engagement by the weft-hammer or other actuator.

3. In filling-feeler mechanism for looms, the combination with a feeler-member that reciprocates forwardly and rearwardly in the feeling action and is deflected sidewise by the feeling action when the weft or filling is substantially depleted, a spring which gives said feeler-member its normal position, and a vertically movable latch or dog constituting an element of the devices for calling a change, of a direction-changing guide adjacent the latch or do and a flexible connector extending transversely from the ifeeler-member to and around said guide and thence vertically to the latch or dog and by the tension of which the position up or down of the latter and its engagement by the weft-hammer or other actuator are controlled.

l. In filling-feeler mechanism for looms, the combination with a feeler-dcvice com prising a reciprocating carrier and a feelermember mounted thereon which moves laterally when the weft or filling is substantially depleted, and a vertically movable latch or dog constituting an element of the devices for calling a change, of a directionchanging guide adjacent the latch or dog, and a flexible connector extending transversely trom the feeler-member to and around said guide and thence vertically to the latch or dog, and by the tension of which the position up or down of the latter and its engagement by the weft-hammer or other actuator are controlled.

5. In filling-feeler mechanism for looms, the combination with a it'eeler-device comprising a reciprocating carrier and a teelermember mounted thereon which moves laterally when the weft or filling is substantially depleted, a spring which gives said feelermember its normal position, and a vertically movable latch or dog constituting an element of the devices for calling a change,

of a direction-changing guide adjacent the latch or dog, and a flexible connector extending transversely from the feeler-member to and around said guide and thence vertically to the latch or dog, and by the tension of which the position up or down of the latter and its engagement by the weft-hammer or other actuator are controlled.

6. In filling-teeler mechanism for looms, the combination with a teeler-device comprising a reciprocating carrier and a feelermember which moves laterally when the weft or filling is substantially depleted, a vertically-movable latch or dog which constitutes an element of the devices for calling a change, and a wetthammer or other actuator for said latch or dog, of a direction-changing guide adjacent the latch or dog, a flexible connector eX- tending transversely from the feeler-memher to and around said guide and thence vertically to the latch or dog, and by its tension controlling the latter, and a spring which gives the feel'er-member and latch or dog their positions while a sufficiency of weftor filling is present.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SIMEON S. JACKSON.

Witnesses CHAS. F. RANDALL, ELLEN 0. SPRING. 

